Under BID legislation the BID must hold a ballot to all members to establish whether they wish to renew the BID arrangements for a further five years or wind the BID company up.

Councillors on the Community and Enterprise Committee have agreed that the Hamilton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID) proposals for the period 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2027 should be supported to proceed to its third ballot.

The Committee also approved that the council will continue to work with Hamilton BID with the existing Palace Grounds service charge money, totalling £44,000, continuing to be made available to help deliver a range of events to promote Hamilton town centre. Additional support will also continue from the Economic Development Services staff.

Councillor Robert Brown, the chair of the council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee said: “I am delighted that the committee agreed to support the BID programme to proceed to another ballot.

“Since the BID first came into being back in 2012, it has successfully delivered its business plans to support and improve Hamilton Town Centre. And as well as a variety of business initiatives, over the years the town has benefitted from a wide range of events including the Christmas Lights Switch Ons, Ready Steady Gallop, The Big Stampede, a Classic Car event, “Spring into Hamilton” and Real Radio campaigns.

“I look forward to seeing what can be achieved in the next five years if the ballot returns a positive result.”

The current 5-year term of the BID operation comes to an end on 31 October 2022.

A Business Improvement District (BID) is a geographically defined area, where businesses come together and agree to invest collectively in projects and services the businesses believe will improve their trading environment.